Attenborough gets portrait in the Morecambe Bay sand to mark his 100th birthday

Veteran British natural historian David Attenborough, who will turn 100 on Friday (May 8), has had his likeness drawn in the sand at Morecambe Bay, northwestern England.

Artists from 'Sand In Your Eye' on Wednesday (May 6) "marked out" with "little sticks" the outline of the naturalist and broadcaster's image, complete with a quote reading: "We often talk of saving the planet, but the truth is that we must do these things to save ourselves. Sir David Attenborough."

They then raked the sand, applying different stroke strengths to get the tonal effect of the roughly 80 metres tall by 56 metres wide drawing.

Artist Jamie Wardley told Reuters that one of the main challenges was laying the drawing out after first finding "a spot of sand that is going to work for drawing, because not all of it does."

"Morecambe Bay is a beautiful location. An intersection where a complex tidal environment meets humanity; both intertwined in each others future. Celebrating this will be the Eden Project Morecambe which will open in 2028," said Claire Wardley from 'Sand In Your Eye' in a press release. Once the tide comes in, the sand drawing will be erased and the beach returned to its natural state.

Centenarian Attenborough is "a global icon," Jamie Wardley told Reuters, because he has taught people "the value of nature."

"He's really been a pioneer of getting the subject of climate change, which we see as one of the biggest challenges for humanity, in front and in the centre of the public's consciousness," he said. "That's really an amazing legacy to have."

-Phil Noble, Lisa Giles-Keddie/Reuters